VISITORS stepped back in time at the weekend for a nostalgic trip to wartime Britain.

Pickering hosted the 18th Railway in Wartime event which attracted thousands of people over the three days.

Organisers at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway said they expected the event to be on par with last year’s record-breaker.

Phil Bustard, marketing manager, said: “It was a very successful event for us and early indications suggest that the revenue generated will be on par with last year. We certainly sold more advance tickets this time.

“We are really pleased with how it turned out – people just love it and the atmosphere was very good.”

The weekend started with a flag-raising ceremony on Friday to commemorate people who lost their lives on the railways and also as a sign of handing over to the military.

Over the following three days re-enactments, parades and demonstrations capture a sense of life in Britain on the Home Front in 1943, Children from schools in the town entered into the spirit of the weekend with special lessons focusing on the war.

At St Joseph’s RC Primary pupils heard from evacuee Frank Roughley who told them about his experiences in Second World World.

On Saturday the Friends of the School held at soup kitchen at St Joseph’s Church raising more than £900 for funds. Children dressed in wartime costumes also sang songs from the era.

Pickering Infants School also served refreshments including homemade soup and cakes.

Michelle Long, from the Home-School Association, said: “This is the third year we have done it and we were non-stop for most of the day.

“Everyone got dressed up and we played wartime music and had games from the era outside which was very popular. The weekend seems to attract more people every year with people coming back again and others through word of mouth.”

Outside Pickering, Levisham Station became Le Visham – an enemy-occupied French village where enactors and station staff recreated wartime scenarios.

Crowds enjoyed training demonstrations and the rescue of a pilot from a crash-landed Messerschmitt BF109.

Continental-style food was served in the Café Allee de Bois while staff at the coffee kiosk went through more than 150 pints of milk on Saturday alone.

Further down the line at Goathland, the Pontefract Home Guard took charge of the station which also featured a field kitchen display and agricultural demonstrations.

But behind all the fun of the weekend the event has a serious message.

Mr Bustard added: “The weekend reflects the role that the railways played during the war. Between 1939 and 1944 the railways were subject to more than 9,000 bombing raids but despite this the Germans were never able to success incompletely paralysing the network.

“The people who worked on the railways were the unsung heroes and our event aims to serve a reminder of their vital role.”


War weekend is a record-breaker

‘TOURISM at its best’ was the overwhelming message from Pickering as thousands of visitors descended on the town for the annual Railway in Wartime weekend.

Hotels and guesthouses were booked up 18 months in advance, and there was standing room only in the pubs and restaurants, as people flocked from across the UK and even Europe, to enjoy the event.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway marketing manager Phil Bustard said it had been another record-breaking weekend with about 20,000 visitors over the three-day event – more than a quarter up on last year.

“People come from all four corners of this country as well as Norway, Holland, Spain and Germany,” he said.

“Many of the re-enacters go to half a dozen events every year but they still say Pickering is the best in terms of the atmosphere and how the whole town gets involved.

“This is a great example of tourism at its best – the war weekend is never going to wane – it is going to pick up year after year.”

Louise Wright, from the Black Bull Caravan Park, said they had visitors booking 18 month in advance.

She said: “The war weekend is definitely the most popular event in the area – we are always fully-booked and it is great for business.

“There is also a really good atmosphere and never any trouble – everyone is super-friendly and here to enjoy themselves.”

At the Black Bull pub, staff dressed in 1940s costume and decorated the premises.

Landlady Tina Wardill said this was her first experience of the event after taking over the business last year with her nephew, Andrew Walker.

She said: “I was surprised at how many people got into the swing of things. It was great fun and we’re looking forward to next year already.”

Bar Four and Lounge in Market Place, Pickering, put on a special wartime menu and staff dressed in wartime clothes.

“We were very busy all weekend from breakfast through to late,” said bar supervisor Freddy Bulmer.

“It is a quiet time of year for bars and pubs so this weekend is fantastic for us and there is always a really good relaxed atmosphere.”

Pat Oxley, owner of 17 Burgate, said the same people had stayed with them since they took over the bed and breakfast five years ago.

“The event gives people the opportunity from other parts of the country of see this area,” she said.

“The fact that people come back year on year is very positive for the organisers as people would only do that if they felt it was well run.”